I’ve always dreamt of the perfect 21st birthday outfit. As somebody who never refuses a bold night-out look, I was ready to go all out. Unfortunately, my 21st came in the midst of the pandemic, so I couldn't have the glamorous celebration I always anticipated. Of course, I still got dressed up, whatever that meant for pandemic times, but now I always keep an eye out for the outfit that could’ve been.
If you’ve yet to turn 21, though, consider yourself in luck. After years of bookmarking my favorite sparkly mini dresses and standout accessories, I’ve gathered a fair understanding of what makes the perfect birthday party outfit. In other words, just consider me your birthday fairy godmother, here to grant you the ultimate 21st birthday ensemble. Whether you plan to have a laidback celebration or an all-out soiree, I’ve put together looks that capture whatever vibe you may be after.
So, without waiting any longer, scroll on for an inside peak at what my imaginary 21st-birthday Pinterest board looks like.
If you're looking to take a chill approach to your 21st birthday look, opt for a simple maxi skirt set with edgy cutouts. While this look could easily go glam by styling with heels, instead, pair the set with sneakers to lock down the lowkey vibe. For those unafraid of bold shades, this 21st birthday look is for you. I imagine it is perfect for a day that starts with strolling in the park and ends with a trendy dinner for you and your besties - no outfit change required. At home, but make it glam. If you plan host a glamorous party at your house or apartment to celebrate, slip into a little black dress and add a statement necklace for a comfortable yet stylish look. Of course, don't forget Insta-worthy drinkware for your guests to cheers you into 21 with. If your 21st birthday means dancing your heart out under the disco ball, then all you need is a sleek catsuit and a statement necklace for your '70s-inspired look. If you are picturing elegance for your 21st birthday, channel your inner Blair Waldorf with a bow-accented mini dress and a coordinating purse. If you're a tried and true blue jean baby, ring in 21 by pairing a red satin camisole with your favorite dark wash denim. To make this look going out-worthy, slip on a pair of closed-toe heels before heading out the door. The formula for a head-turning birthday look, of course, includes a statement corset. Embrace your edgy side with a snakeskin corset, but keeps it flirty with a bubble skirt and slouchy black boots. If you're celebrating your 21st during the winter months, don't let it hinder your night-out style. Wear that mini skirt hanging in your closet, and pair it with a wool coat that will keep you looking effortlessly cool while staying warm. You can never go wrong with a casual early-aughts-inspired look. If you're having a low-key day with friends, outfit yourself in a Y2K baby tee and racer sunglasses. This is an accurate representation of what my dream 21st birthday outfit would have looked like. The silver accents give this boldly printed dress a luxe flair.
One of Nordstrom’s biggest sales of the year is currently in full swing. Yes, I'm referring to the Half-Yearly Sale. Now through January 2, you can save majorly on a range of coveted items from top brands. To reiterate, there is a lot on sale. To help you sort through the discounted merchandise and give you a bit of shopping inspiration, I’m sharing some of the items I think you’ll like best.
Below, you’ll uncover my edit of top-notch items from the Nordstrom Half-Yearly Sale. As a preview, you’ll find everything from amazing sweaters that look super expensive to beautiful outerwear silhouettes to easy basics that could become new staples in your wardrobe. Keep scrolling for all of that and more.
This double-breasted coat looks way more expensive than it is.A+ jeans.All about the boxy cut.Love cashmere on sale.There are so many people viewing this sweatshirt.This could become your new go-to coat.A forward cardi.They're waterproof!You'll get a lot of wear out of this top.Just easy.Can't go wrong with a good turtleneck.Pair these leggings with your favorite knit.Functional and fashionable.Sleek.Talk about cool.Into a winter white moment.Cozy and chic.Wear as a dress or over leggings.A solid shacket.No-fail booties.Beautiful with boots.The side slit!Fresh Levi's, anyone?Stunning color.This one will keep you extra toasty.Pretty neckline.A great investment piece.Well-rated leggings.Sharp.Dress these loafers up or down.
Dealing with dry, barrier-damaged, and acne-prone skin during the winter can be a challenge, to say the least. As someone who's tried just about everything out there to clear their skin, I can finally say I have a few solid pointers for those who may be dealing with the same woes this season. Keep in mind that everyone's skin is different, so what works for me may not work for you, but I can tell you a little bit about mine in the hopes that if yours is similar, I can at least point you in the direction of a few products that have finally worked well.
Ironically enough, my skin hates most "acne-fighting" products. Anything that contains higher percentages of salicylic acid or other harsh actives actually makes my skin break out more or they're just too drying. At this point, I've actually found that sticking to formulas that are hydrating and made for sensitive skin actually clear my skin up pretty quickly. Not to mention the fact that I used Tretinoin for years to clear my skin up, but I didn't realize that it was destroying my skin barrier in the process. Let me tell you, some may say that drying out your skin and acne is the answer to clearing it up, but it's most definitely not. Skin barrier damage can create opportunistic "holes" in your skin for bacteria and other pollution to enter it, exacerbating your acne even further.
Even though I've learned all this and it's been imperative on my own skin journey, I still turn to the experts for further advice since we know skincare never works as a one-size-fits-all approach. Marisa Garshick, MD has a few tips. "It is important that even those with acne-prone skin remember to use a moisturizer to prevent the skin from becoming too dry or irritated," she says. "Additionally, if the skin feels tight or is dry and flaky, it may be needed to skip a day of any acne treatments to allow the skin to recover. For those with dry, acne-prone skin, it is especially important to introduce active ingredients slowly, starting off just a few times per week and gradually increasing the frequency."
Below, you'll find a mix of products that have worked for my dry, barrier-damaged, acne-prone skin along with a few derm recs for winter, too. Keep scrolling.
"This moisturizer is a favorite for those with acne-prone skin. It contains a combination of ceramides to help strengthen the skin barrier and niacinamide to soothe the skin. It is great for all skin types including those with acne-prone skin, as it is noncomedogenic."—Garshick"This lightweight daily moisturizer helps to hydrate while also providing adequate broad-spectrum SPF coverage. It contains ceramides and hyaluronic acid which can help to reduce the potential irritation from acne-fighting ingredients."—Garshick"This gentle daily face moisturizer contains both hyaluronic acid and ceramides. It helps to draw moisture in and support the skin barrier. This lightweight formulation can be used all year and is especially good for those with sensitive skin as it is free of fragrance, parabens, formaldehyde, and other preservatives."—GarshickThis has been my holy grail SPF for years. It doesn't break me out, helps calm redness from any new breakouts with niacinamide, and absorbs so quickly and easily into the skin. It's also the perfect SPF to wear under makeup, as it plays well with any primer or foundation.I adore this cleansing milk from Biologique Recherche because it's one of the most gentle, yet effective cleansers I've ever used for my skin type. Like I said above, I've been dealing with quite a bit of skin barrier damage and acne the past year or so and this has helped clear it up tremendously. It is a bit pricier, but the BR line is absolutely worth it—trust me.For extra hydration that sinks deep into the skin, try The Ordinary's hyaluronic acid serum. It's feather-light but still leaves skin plump and moisturized. To be perfectly honest, I'm also not someone who likes spending a ton of money on hyaluronic acid alone when most pricier formulas contain the same kind as the more budget-friendly formulas.This primer has been liquid gold for me over the past year. It contains a thin layer of silk to diminish the look of pores, fine lines, and acne or acne scars. I also love the hydrating base it creates for my foundation and my sensitive skin has never reacted badly to it. This weightless, oil-free moisturizer from CoverGirl offers up to 72 hours of intense hydration with ingredients like hyaluronic acid and cactus water.I have several different skincare devices that do different things, but I always like to streamline my routine by looking for a device that can do it all. In this case, that would be ZIIP's Nano Current Device. I'd need an entirely separate story to list all the incredible benefits this device has to offer, but to give you the Cliffsnotes version, it can help prevent and reverse the signs of aging, decrease acne, and promote supple and glowing skin overall. Yes, the price tag is hefty, but longtime esthetician Melanie Simon created this device to deliver the results of an incredible (and expensive) facial in your own home. I hopped on an incredible Zoom call with Simon recently where she talked me through the device and how to customize it for my own specific skincare needs. It's truly a magical device and if you can afford it, I say it's an absolute must in your routine.This has been a tried and true acne-clearing toner for me for years. Besides Biologique Recherche's Lotion P50, it's one of the toners that's worked the best for my skin. It contains 2% salicylic acid, which I feel is the safe-zone percentage for people like me who have sensitive or reactive skin. It's enough to do the job but isn't so strong that it will cause even more of a skin reaction.I know some derms say to avoid oils altogether if you have acne-prone skin, but I have to say that I don't always agree with that given my personal experience. Noncomedogenic face oils like this one from Summer Fridays have totally saved my skin and it has never caused any new breakouts for me. In fact, it helped a lot of them heal while leaving my skin looking plump, hydrated, and glowing.This organically sourced serum is absolutely heavenly for dry, acne-prone skin. It calms spots, rejuvenates, and adds so much hydration to your skin. It contains oils like rose and jojoba to help repair a damaged barrier but is never sticky or overly oily. I use it every day and my skin looks the best it has in ages.Because I'm a skincare device freak, I have another do-it-all recommendation you'll want to give a shot. If you've ever used TheraBody's TheraGun Pro or Mini, you'll love the brand's latest offering, the TheraFace Pro. I know, the price tag is a bit startling, but it's literally a few different devices in one. It offers blue and red light therapy (both great for reducing acne and stimulating collagen production), facial massage, and microcurrent. I received this over the holidays and I've been totally obsessed the past few weeks. I've been using the blue light feature (for acne) and microcurrent the most, but the facial massage tools are so therapeutic after a long, stressful day. My skin has also been brighter, clearer, and just overall looks so much healthier. It's definitely a new staple in my routine.I'm going to tell you a little secret. Using mostly Luzern products is what keeps my skin hydrated, glowing, and problem-free. The brand's new offering, its Detox Cleansing Masque can be used as a mask or cleanser on days you're feeling a bit congested. My skin has been incredibly dry due to a bit of skin barrier damage, but instead of over exfoliating to combat acne (which is my natural tendency), I've been using this detox mask in its place as a cleanser a few nights a week. It contains both kaolin and bentonite clay to help break up congestion with ease but it also contains hyaluronic acid and squalane to provide deep hydration to the skin. It's definitely a new staple in my routine.
